DOT Ready For Potential Winter Weather

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RALEIGH, N.C. — At the Department of Transportation station in Raleigh, employees stood by the phone late Friday evening, waiting for the first call about snowfall. If it happens, a fleet of trucks is ready to go at a moment's notice.

DOT officials were hoping we could slide by this year without snow, but a dusting on a weekend is much better than a dumping during the workweek. With recent seasonably warm temperatures, the ground is expected to melt the flakes as soon as they fall.

However, if it does turn out to be a light snow, you'll probably see salt on the ground - 1,800 tons of it, enough to cover 15,000 miles of roads.

You won't notice any pre-treatment on the roads. The DOT decided it wasn't necessary to spray the streets with brine, because it's expected to rain before it snows.

DOT employee Theodis Beck was betting on a laid-back winter weekend, complete with firewood and the essential food and flashlights, just in case.

"If we have a weather event, I think we'll be just fine," said Beck.

While the roads may hazardous in most areas, ice could form on bridges, making a slick surface to drive on. DOT officials say that is still the biggest mistake drivers make every year.